Zahraa can be contacted at
973-632-5915 or at
Zahraa's select stage credits include dancing: backup to the B52s at the Hamerstein Ballroom, with the Serena Dance Theater at the Pantheon Theater, as a soloist in "The Music & Dance of the Dunes" at the Merkin Concert Hall, for "An Evening of Hope" at the Montclair Art Museum, and with the Greenwich Village Orchestra to a score by Saint-Saens "Bacchanale" from Samson and Dalilah.
Zahraa has been featured at hundreds of birthday parties, weddings, corporate functions, and other happy occasions. She dances regularly to all the top NYC musicians such as: Avram Pengas, Elias Sarkar, Scott Wilson, Dick Barsamian, Souren Baronian, Rashid Halihlal, Ashraf Amir, and many more. Moreover, Zahraa has generously performed for charities such as senior homes, nursing homes, public schools, and for Ameri Corps. You can see her at many of New York and New Jersey's popular restaurants and night clubs.
In Greece, Zahraa's select performances include: touring with the famous Greek singer Lefteris Pantazis and dancing at the televised "Mr. International Physique" competition in Athens.
In Cyprus, Zahraa has performed at the prestigious club "Privilege".
Television appearances include "The Isaac Mizrahi Show", "The Ricki Lake Show" and "World Dance".
Zahraa has studied with belly dance stars in New York City and Egypt. Her teachers include: (in NYC) Serena Wilson, Anahid Sofian, Yousry Sharif, Jehan Kamal, Tayyar, Artemis Mourat, (in Egypt) Raqia Hassan, Aida Nour, and Nagwa Sultan, and others.
Zahraa has always danced. From the time she could walk, she joined her Greek-American family in dancing traditional Greek folk dances. Furthermore, she has extensive training in ballet, modern, jazz, and is an accomplished sculptor who has exhibited in galleries and museums nationwide.
Zahraa was raised in an environment steeped in Greek, Turkish, Arabic, Armenian, and Israeli music. In her youth, one of her mother's close friends worked as a professional belly dancer. Zahraa remembers watching and imitating her. When Zahraa was about ten years old she would twirl around her parent's living room executing movements like hip drops and snake arms.
This cultural richness and artistic expertise led Zahraa to seek out and study with the Belly Dance legend, Serena, who has served as her mentor and inspiration. Today she enjoys the honor of being a member of the "Serena Dance Theater" and on the teaching staff at Serena Studios.
Serena is located at:
939 Eighth Ave. (#403)
New York, New York
212-247-1051
The following is a partial list of restaurants Zahraa has performed at during 2002-2004. For a current schedule of shows please e-mail or call.
Kush--NYC
Lafayette Grill--NYC
Tagine Dining--NYC
Cafe Figaro--NYC
Al Baraka--NYC
Eden--NYC
Turkuaz--NYC
Sirocco Supper Club--Queens NY
Ibiza--Bronx NY
Ride--Westchester NY
Turkois Grille--Airmont NY
The Cave Club--NJ
Al Solymania--NJ
Star--NJ
Namaste--NJ
Bombay Grill--NJ
Marakesh--NJ
Ranoosh--NJ
The Oilhouse--NJ
Pharaoh's Palace--NJ
Medina--NJ
The Coffee Club--NJ
Beyti Kebab--NJ
Cafe Sultan--NJ
Kebab and Meze House--NJ
Lalezar--NJ
Three wonderful restaurants to see belly dancers in NYC and NJ:
Lafayette Grill is a very special place. When one walks through the door, they are greeted warmly by Dino and Billy (the owners), and are surrounded by friends. Lafayette Grill holds the NYC dance community together by regularly featuring all the top dancers and musicians. Here you will listen to traditional music from Greece, Turkey, Israel, Armenia and the Arabic countries. Lafayette Grill is located at 54-56 Franklin St. between Lafayette and Broadway in Tribeca. Their phone number is: 212-732-4449. Their web site is: www.lafgrill.com.
Cafe Figaro in Greenwich Village features the music of Scott Wilson on Oud and Raquy Daniger on Doumbek. For two hours every Sunday night, 8-10 PM, all are entertained by beautiful traditional Turkish music and three belly dancers. This is the place to go if you are a dancer, a dance student, or a fan. Along with Lafayette Grill, Cafe Figaro is the best dancer hangout in NYC. They are located at 184 Bleecker St. and their phone number is 212-677-1100.
Marakesh in NJ is always lively on Friday and Saturday nights. The music is Arabic and played by Ashraf. The audience is friendly and the food great. Reservations are a must. Marakesh is located at 321 Route 46 East in Parsippany NJ. Their phone number is 973-808-0062. Their web site is www.marakesh.com
Photos by Lina Jang
|